Osbourne Pinner, a distinguished law firm in London, has reacted to the newly enacted visa regulations that aim to reduce migration into the UK. Noted for its expertise, the firm has assisted over a thousand businesses in recruiting international talent through its Skilled Worker Visa and Sponsor Licence service, achieving a remarkable 100% success rate in Sponsor Licence applications and earning a reputation as a foremost solicitor in this sector in London.
Reacting to Home Secretary James Cleverly’s recent introduction of several measures to limit immigration, including raising the minimum salary for foreign skilled workers to £38,700 from the prior £26,200 (excluding the healthcare sector), Osbourne Pinner has articulated its position.
Senior Immigration Solicitor at Osbourne Pinner, Richard Young, commented: “These new regulations are going to have a significant impact on UK businesses seeking to recruit skilled workers from overseas. The raised minimum salary is a large jump and will mean that some UK companies can no longer afford to recruit workers from overseas. We strongly advise companies who are looking to recruit foreign skilled workers to enlist the support of a legal expert to establish what effect the new regulations will have on the process.”
The firm estimates that the new regulations could lead to a reduction in migration by approximately 300,000 annually, making it more challenging for companies to hire overseas workers and for the workers to obtain skilled worker visas. Sponsor licence applications are crucial for companies to employ skilled individuals from outside the UK and EEA under the Skilled Worker rule for Tier 2 and Tier 5 visas.
Further elaborating, Richard Young said: “Anyone seeking to employ overseas workers should be mindful of the record-keeping, reporting and monitoring that is required by the Home Office to ensure that your company complies with the regulations. We can assist with this, but an in-house HR team is highly beneficial. Since the legislation changed in April 2023 to the points-based immigration system, the legalities around recruiting overseas workers now has added complexity. The updated regulations will add further complications to the process, so having legal aid to guide you through the process is strongly recommended. Time will tell as to what the impact the new rules will have, but our team has a 100% success rate in this field so we will be able to assist companies as they navigate the regulations and understand what is now required of them to ensure compliance.”
Additionally, the new ruling also increases the minimum income requirement for a spouse or family visa from £18,600 to £38,700, affecting the ability of UK citizens to bring their foreign-born spouses to the country.
Yee Han, Senior Associate at Osbourne Pinner, stated: “The raised salary requirement for a spouse visa will mean that some UK citizens will be unable to bring their spouse to live with them, unless they are able to get a higher-paid job that meets the £38,700 threshold.
“We are working with clients on the changes to check their eligibility. Even prior to these new regulations being introduced, obtaining a partner visa can be a complicated and long process. It is essential to consider your circumstances carefully and seek professional advice before applying for a spouse visa in the UK. Applying for a skilled worker visa may be time-consuming. If you make mistakes in your application, you risk delays, rejection, or even being denied entry to the UK. Our team can assist you in avoiding these mistakes and improving your chances of having your application accepted.”
Osbourne Pinner offers free consultations for those navigating the new migration rules, available through their online booking system.
More information about Osbourne Pinner can be found here.
